Help please - wiring heated seats
- Thread starter Fishy Dave
- Start date
I do too 8) . Finished it all a couple of weeks ago but had no time to post.
The pre-facelift switch console has different connectors compared to the ones on the M, so a bit of extra wiring which I hadn't expected. Fitting a variable resistor each side has worked a treat, set them to 6 ohms initially and with a bit of fiddling all 3 heat settings work well with the heat mats own thermostat controlling the maximum temperature. On level 3 the seats really heat up quickly and the leather is at least as tight looking as before (phew!).
Total cost:
£70ish X3 retrofit loom from the states inc. customs charge
£40 used switch console with heated seat buttons
£29 Carbon fibre heating mats from ebay, excellent quality for the money
Cable ties in place of hog rings + contact adhesive
Total cost in time:
Plenty in time taken to research, thanks once again to you guys who have helped on the forum
Probably 4 days to strip interior, fit loom, strip M seats, fit heated elements and rebuild it all.
It would have been so much cheaper to just fit the aftermarket heating kit complete with their switches and relays to my existing seats, but I wanted the oem look and function. Alternatively for considerably more money I could have looked for M seats with elements already built in but that would have been a very expensive option. So, I'm happy with the result.
I have bought a spare X3 loom that I've labelled up ready for fitment to make life easier for the next person, happy to sell it.
The pre-facelift switch console has different connectors compared to the ones on the M, so a bit of extra wiring which I hadn't expected. Fitting a variable resistor each side has worked a treat, set them to 6 ohms initially and with a bit of fiddling all 3 heat settings work well with the heat mats own thermostat controlling the maximum temperature. On level 3 the seats really heat up quickly and the leather is at least as tight looking as before (phew!).
Total cost:
£70ish X3 retrofit loom from the states inc. customs charge
£40 used switch console with heated seat buttons
£29 Carbon fibre heating mats from ebay, excellent quality for the money
Cable ties in place of hog rings + contact adhesive
Total cost in time:
Plenty in time taken to research, thanks once again to you guys who have helped on the forum
Probably 4 days to strip interior, fit loom, strip M seats, fit heated elements and rebuild it all.
It would have been so much cheaper to just fit the aftermarket heating kit complete with their switches and relays to my existing seats, but I wanted the oem look and function. Alternatively for considerably more money I could have looked for M seats with elements already built in but that would have been a very expensive option. So, I'm happy with the result.
I have bought a spare X3 loom that I've labelled up ready for fitment to make life easier for the next person, happy to sell it.
Fishy Dave said:
Very impressive work Dave!
I think someone earlier in the thread asked, before you sell that additional loom, is there any chance you can capture the labelling some how so that it can be shared and copied later?
It's a job I'm hoping to be able to do one day (when I can source the seats!) and would definitely need the help on the wiring front!
Thank you, yes, will attempt to write a description of the wiring needed and host a few piccies too. 
fiomaravilha
New member
Hello, I am about to install those electric heated seats in a post06 Z4. As I gather from this post, nobody has managed to find the official retrofitting instructions uh? X3 is the way to go then?
Thanks all
Thanks all
We have the Z4 retrofit instructions, it's the loom itself that is no longer available. Drop me your email address and I'll send you a copy, then follow the link in this thread to see where you can buy the X3 retrofit loom from the States.
How much is the loom from the US? I could probably source the connectors and make them up from pictures.
fiomaravilha
New member
Hey FishyDave, I've PM you so I guess you could be able to reply with the file and it would go into my personal email .Regarding the loom, may not need it. I have got ALL Z4's wiring on my kitchen table! It is a matter of extracting all necessary bit. It is a total mess so it may take a while.... and that's why the official Z4 retrofitting instructions will come handy!
Attachments
OMG!!!! It makes my install look easy! :?
fiomaravilha
New member
Yes, having all the original loom is good and bad at the same time. I have the additional work in finding and isolating the right cables but once I do it I will have the original wiring in place. I'd rather the aftermarket kit otherwise. Document received Dave, thanks very much.
fiomaravilha
New member
Great! Wiring identified and tagged. On the same operation I am going to try to wire the memory electric seats. It is supposed to be just a positive, ground and K-Bus. I guess you won't have the retrofitting instructions for that uh?
BTW, I have seen your car collection Dave, you've had most of the cars in my must-have list! I'd be cool to have your input on it sometime.
Thanks again.
BTW, I have seen your car collection Dave, you've had most of the cars in my must-have list! I'd be cool to have your input on it sometime.
Thanks again.
Attachments
Marlon said:Scooba_Steve said:
the loom is quite a jumble of wires :!: (Dave did an excellent job of labelling them up based upon the retro-fit instructions)
Yeah, OK. Maybe not! The loom would be easy based on WDS or the retrofit, it's getting hold of the connectors that's time consuming.
Hi Dave
I've now acquired the seats with heating I wanted! If it's not too much trouble, are you able to email me the retrofit guide?
Also, do you still have the spare wiring loom?
Thanks
Mark
I've now acquired the seats with heating I wanted! If it's not too much trouble, are you able to email me the retrofit guide?
Also, do you still have the spare wiring loom?
Thanks
Mark
Darkangelv2 said:
Retrofit guide on its way
Sorry, no, I sold the spare loom to another Z4 forum user. Happy to help you, I pm'd you my mobile number, if you really get stuck you can post the loom to me and I'll label that one for you.fiomaravilha said:
No, sorry, I don't have the diagram for the seats, just the retrofit kit instructions thanks to others here on the forum.
Thanks, yes, I wish I still had the 911, but then I wouldn't have got the Z4M and it's fun to try new cars now and again. Happy to chat about cars anytime. I'm feeling the need for a V8 in my life at some stage, VXR Monaro are looking appealing..... 8)
Fishy Dave said:Darkangelv2 said:
Retrofit guide on its way
Thanks for all your help so far!
Hopefully I can manage to label my set up but will definitely bear your kind offer in mind.
One thing you mention in this thread is a difference in switch panel you found between M and pre-facelift. Is this something I need to look out for?
Darkangelv2 said:
Yes, the pre and post facelift panels have slightly different connectors, so best to go for a post 2006 panel, it will save having to paint it too.